Abstract: The present invention describes methods to customize massively-multiplayer-online-game (MMOG) Avatars beyond what can be displayed during general game-play. General game play refers to when a user is in a game with control of their Avatar. One knowledgeable in the art would understand that MMOGs are limited by their game engines to the complexity of Avatars that may be displayed to a user during general game-play, while maintaining acceptable frame rates. Furthermore one knowledgeable in the art would understand that Avatar complexity may further be limited due to the target machine the MMOG is designed to run on. The current invention describes methods to produce a custom Avatar image for non-game use, wherein the custom Avatar has higher resolution and greater choices than are available in-game.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods to customize massively-multiplayer-online-game (MMOG) Avatars beyond what can be displayed during general game-play. General game play refers to when a user is in a game with control of their Avatar. One knowledgeable in the art would understand that MMOGs are limited by their game engines to the complexity of Avatars that may be displayed to a user during general game-play, while maintaining acceptable frame rates. Furthermore one knowledgeable in the art would understand that Avatar complexity may further be limited due to the target machine the MMOG is designed to run on. The current invention describes methods to produce a custom Avatar image for non-game use, wherein the custom Avatar has higher resolution and greater choices than are available in-game.

Abstract: Enhancing the experience of a user reading a book or e-book by playing content, including, but not limited to; audio, lighting, smell, temperature, air currents, motion, and haptic effects, alone or in any combination, thus creating an environmental immersive experience for the user. Predetermined content is played on one or more playback devices when a user is reading a predetermined area of the printed book, or e-book. The user may select a subset of available playback devices to utilize for a reading session.

Abstract: The present invention is directed at enhancing pinball gameplay through non-synchronous multiplayer competitive and cooperative play. In the primary embodiment this is achieved by treating the logic and circuitry of an individual pinball machine as a “Client,” that is connected to a server or “Host”. The Host is in bidirectional communication with the individual pinball machines or Clients. The status of the Client, such as score, progress on completing features and other game metrics may be communicated to the Host at predetermined intervals. These game metrics may be communicated by the Host to all Clients. When a gameplay objective is completed on a client, the player is presented with a gameplay choice. This choice may be to change the status of his Client or change the status of another player's Client.

Abstract: The present invention is directed at enhancing pinball gameplay through non-synchronous multiplayer competitive and cooperative play. In the primary embodiment this is achieved by treating the logic and circuitry of an individual pinball machine as a “Client,” that is connected to a server or “Host”. The Host is in bidirectional communication with the individual pinball machines or Clients. The status of the Client, such as score, progress on completing features and other game metrics may be communicated to the Host at predetermined intervals. These game metrics may be communicated by the Host to all Clients. When a gameplay objective is completed on a client, the player is presented with a gameplay choice. This choice may be to change the status of his Client or change the status of another player's Client.

Abstract: A new computer wearable input device, referred to as Imagine, may be used to control electronic devices in a natural, intuitive, convenient and comfortable manner, having a form factor which does not impede normal daily or business activities. For example, an Imagine may serve as an alternative to input devices such as a mouse, keyboard, or game controller. An Imagine device is able to recognize complex gestures, such as a person signing American Sign Language. An Imagine device may include a plurality of motion sensors affixed to a user's fingers and a plurality of motion sensors affixed to a user's wrists, a processing component and a communication component designed to communicate with a second electronic device.

Abstract: A new computer wearable input device, referred to as Imagine, may be used to control electronic devices in a natural, intuitive, convenient and comfortable manner, having a form factor which does not impede normal daily or business activities. For example, an Imagine may serve as an alternative to input devices such as a mouse, keyboard, or game controller. An Imagine device is able to recognize complex gestures, such as a person signing American Sign Language. An Imagine device may include a plurality of motion sensors affixed to a user's fingers and a plurality of motion sensors affixed to a user's wrists, a processing component and a communication component designed to communicate with a second electronic device.

Abstract: A self-adjusting-difficulty feature for a pinball machine enables operators to set a desired game playtime. The difficulty of play, the chance of a ball draining or staying on the playfield, is adjusted through moving active features such as posts to different positions on the playfield. Thus the machine is made easier to play for a novice and tougher for an experienced player. The score given by playfield features is increased as the level of difficulty is increased. Thus, the novice and experienced player may play for a similar amount of time, the experienced player is more likely to get a higher score. Additionally, some playfield features may only be unlocked when the machine is set for a high level of difficulty.

Abstract: The present invention teaches systems and methods to dynamically alter pinball playfield elements. The key observation is that these systems and methods are organic to conventional pinball play, and thus acceptable to a typical pinball player. The present invention has two broad components under control of a game's processor. One, physically moving a playfield component such as a bumper, and two, changing the force of a playfield component, such as an angle bumper kicker or flipper.

Abstract: There are many situations where it is desirable for law enforcement or security officials, and others, to perform a Keyword search on a confiscated memory device. Keyword searches on undeleted files are well known in the art. Often files are deleted in an effort to hinder prosecution. When a file is deleted, the information that connects one chunk of memory to another is often lost. The file is now considered to be in “unallocated space” as the operating system is not tracking the chunks that made up the file anymore. When the information that connects one chunk of memory to another is lost there is no way to perform a keyword search across multiple chunks of memory in the art. The current invention rectifies this situation by providing ways to perform keyword searches across unallocated chunks. Additional the current invention provides methods to reconstruct files that have been deleted.

Abstract: A testing device to test how computer systems interact with computer long-term storage devices, such as hard drives. The testing device is placed between a host computer and the storage device. The testing device intercepts communications between the host and the storage device and examines any commands from the host to the storage device. The testing device may respond to an Information ID request from the host with predetermined data, not the storage device's actual data. The testing device may respond to a read or write command to a specific sector with an error message from a predetermined list of sectors and errors.

Abstract: A physically small, inexpensive to manufacture stand-alone dedicated function drive preparation device connects to a long term storage device such as a hard drive. The drive preparation device performs operations on the storage device such as formatting, copying, verifying, configuring, testing, and cleaning. Additionally the device may be configured set passwords. The device may also be configured to make multiple copies of a source storage device, these copies having unique network identifications. The device may be configured by a user.

Abstract: The present novel Game System is directed toward inserting a player into a virtual world, where the player's real world actions, articulated movements, activities and skills determine what actions and activities his Avatar in the virtual world does. Conversely, experiences of the Avatar in the Virtual World are translated back into the real world as feedback. The critical observation is: the contestants undergo the physical challenge of an epic adventure with none of the dangers. For example, the present Game System is able to simulate the physical challenge of a jungle adventure without biting insects, poisonous snakes, leaches, anacondas and piranhas, not to mention the enormous expense a real jungle adventure would entail. Our current invention teaches a Multi-player Virtual World Game suitable for reality TV and/or location based entertainment. The present Game System is a unique combination of elements consisting of: 1. Motion Capturing of contestants, 2. Two-way interaction with the virtual world, 3.

Abstract: A protection device provides write-once, read many capabilities for computer long-term storage devices, such as hard drives. The blocking device is placed between a host computer and a storage device. The blocking device intercepts communications between the host and the storage device and examines any commands from the host to the storage device. Certain commands, such as commands that may modify the storage device, may be discarded. Additionally, commands that may modify the state of previously written storage areas on the storage device may be discarded.

Abstract: A restoring device provides a means to reset data in a computer long-term storage device's controller, such as hard drives. There is a need to, on occasion, change information on a device's controller. For example to access data on long-term storage devices such as hard drives that is hidden. Accessing this hidden data involves making a change to a device's controller. There is an addition requirement, on occasion, to reset the device's controller to its original state. Our current invention has systems and methods to restore a long-term storage device controller to a previous state.

Abstract: An improved high-speed password attacking device for finding the password of a long-term storage device includes a power supply, a control circuit, and an interface to the storage device. The control circuit submits potential passwords to the long-term storage device, resetting it as necessary. The storage device may be, for example, a hard disk drive or compact flash memory. The application specific device is physically small, is operating system independent, and has simple interface that is useable by non-computer professionals.

Abstract: An improved comparing device for comparing computer long-term memory devices such as hard drives and compact flash memory, to determine if they are exact copies. Our current invention is a stand-alone device. A user connects long-term memory devices he desires to compare to our device. Our device contains logic and circuitry that perform operations on these devices to determine if they are exact copies, including “hidden” areas, while protecting the devices from any changes. Our device has a very simple user interface. This simplified user interface makes it difficult and unlikely to use our device incorrectly.

Abstract: A testing device to test how computer systems interact with computer long-term storage devices, such as hard drives. The testing device is placed between a host computer and the storage device. The testing device intercepts communications between the host and the storage device and examines any commands from the host to the storage device. The testing device may respond to an Information ID request from the host with predetermined data, not the storage device's actual data. The testing device may respond to a read or write command to a specific sector with an error message from a predetermined list of sectors and errors.

Abstract: Systems and methods for wagering on personal information, such as birth days, anniversaries, phone numbers, state of birth, license plate numbers, etc. The preferred embodiment is a slot machine. The slot machines have different numbers of reels and different reel symbols depending upon the type of personal information being wagered on. A player selects personal information to wager upon. A player may wager on one or multiplies of like personal information. For example, a player may wish to wager on the birthdays of her three children. Systems and methods for calculating payoff odds for the different games are disclosed. In addition, other wagering games are disclosed.

Abstract: A restoring device provides a means to reset data in a computer long-term storage device's controller, such as hard drives. There is a need to, on occasion, change information on a device's controller. For example to access data on long-term storage devices such as hard drives that is hidden. Accessing this hidden data involves making a change to a device's controller. There is an addition requirement, on occasion, to reset the device's controller to its original state. Our current invention has systems and methods to restore a long-term storage device controller to a previous state.